Apparatus for banding yarn skein under tension



Jan. 4, 1966 G. DUDASCIK 3,226,908

APPARATUS FOR BANDING YARN SKEIN UNDER TENSION Filed Oct. 10, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ana SOURCE k l U 44 A :92 x 2 F j 'I 7 J IO 43 45 .29 5

INVENTOR. GEORGE- E UBASCH4 ATTORNEYS Jan. 4, 1966 G. DUDASCIK 3,226,908

- APPARATUS FOR BANDING YARN SKEIN UNDER TENSION Filed 001;.10, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: Geoxzqe bubAsclK ailwmw ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,226,908 APPARATUS FOR BANDING YARN SKEIN UNDER TENSION George Dudascih, Luzerne, Pa., assignor to The Duplan Corporation, Winston-Salem, NC, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 229,580 6 Claims. (Cl. 53-124) sleeve about the compressible article with the ends of the split sleeve in overlapping secured relationship in producing a package. More particularly, the present apparatus is concerned with banding a yarn skein under tension by a tightly embracing split sleeve constricted about a medial portion of the yarn skein so as to have the ends of the split sleeve in overlapping secured relationship for producing a yarn package especially suitable for making a novelty yarn in a space dyeing process.

A process has been developed for producing novelty yarns by the space dyeing of yarn in skein form which involves the banding of the medial portion of a yarn skein by a metal sleeve, subjecting the banded yarn skein.

to steam, and thereafter removing the metal sleeve and dyeing the yarn skein. This process produces a novelty yarn in that the medial portion of the yarn skein located beneath the metal sleeve during the steaming operation will not have the same affinity for the dyestuff as the end portions of the yarn skeinwhich have been fully exposed to the steam during the steaming operation.

Should the metal sleeve be loosely applied about the medial portion of the yarn skein, generally unsatisfactory results will be obtained from the foregoing process, inas- Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for banding a yarn skein with a split sleeve to produce a yarn package suitable for space dyeing in making novelty yarns, the improved apparatus causing the split sleeve to be constricted about the yarn skein in an extremely tight condition with its ends in overlapping secured relationship to substantially eliminate any admittance of foreign matter, such as steam, between the constricted sleeve and the portion of the yarn skein disposed therewithin. By enhancing the constrictive effect of the sleeve about the medial portion of the yarn skein, steam is not permitted to intrude to any degree between the sleeve and the yarn portion covered thereby during a steaming operation, and the subsequent dyeing of the yarn skein, following the steaming operation and the removal of the sleeve, results in an improved novelty yarn.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for producing a banded yarn package, wherein a yarn skein is given one-half turn of twist to emulate a figure-of-eight and subjected to lengthwise tension before a banding sleeve is constricted about the medial portion thereof with resulting compaction of the yarn package to produce a smaller yarn package having a substantially cylindrical medial portion which the banding sleeve overlies. The substantially cylindriform shape of the twisted and tensioned yarn skein along its medial portion conforms to the shape of the sleeve constricted thereabout to cause more intimate contact between the constricted sleeve and the yarn portion therebeneath to further impair the access of steam 3,226,908 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 to the medial yarn portion shielded by the sleeve during a steaming operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for banding a yarn skein under tension by a split sleeve constricted about the medial portion of the yarn skein with the ends of the split sleeve in overlapping secured relationship, wherein construction of the split sleeve about the yarn skein is facilitated by a curved support plate generally conforming to the surface of a sleeve portion opposed thereto and cooperating with constrictor straps overlying the split sleeve and the curved support plate to move into supporting engagement with the sleeve portion opposed thereto and subsequently aid in urging the opposed sleeve portion into intimate contact with the medial portion of the yarn skein as the remainder of the sleeve is constricted about the medial portion of the yarn skein by the constrictor straps, with the .constrictor straps subjecting the curved support plate and the split sleeve to a progressively increasing constrictive force as the banding operation proceeds for tightly embracing the medial portion of the yarn skein by the sleeve whose ends are thereby overlapped in secured relationship to produce a banded yarn package.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view, partially diagrammatic in form, of the apparatus for handing a yarn skein with a split sleeve constricted about the medial portion thereof, the yarn skein being shown in phantom lines as received by a pair of tensioning members provided on the apparatus, with one of the tensioning members being shown in full lines and in phantom lines to illustrate the retracted and extended positions it assumes while cooperating with the other tensioning member for stretching the yarn skein to induce tension therein;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation view of the apparatus looking at the left-hand end of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIGURE 3, and showing a yarn skein received by the pair of tensioning members in its stretched, tensioncd state;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse ver tical sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG- URE 1 and showing the split sleeve loosely disposed about the yarn skein prior to the application of a constrictive force thereto;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view similar to FIGURE 5, but showing an intermediate stage in the constriction of the split sleeve about the yarn skein;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view similar to FIGURES 5 and 6, but partially broken away to illustrate the actuating mechanism for applying the constrictive force against the split sleeve disposed about the yarn skein with the sleeve being fully constricted about the yarn skein in tightly embracing relationship; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the completed yarn package comprising the yarn skein and the banding sleeve tightly constricted about the medial portihon thereof with its ends in overlapping secured relations 1p.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, there is disclosed a new and improved banding apparatus for constricting a split sleeve S loosely disposed about the medial portion of a yarn skein Y so as to tightly embrace the medial portion of the yarn skein Y with the split sleeve S,

wherein the split sleeve S encircles the medial portion of in overlapping relationship. The banding sleeve 8 is preferably metallic, but may be made of any material suitable for banding purposes which possesses the requisite properties of high resistance to bursting and to temperature and moisture.

The apparatus comprises a horizontally disposed base member 11 which may be formed as the top of a table 10 having supporting legs 12. A pair of spaced apart yarn skein holders or tensioning members 13, 14 are mounted on the base member 11 for receiving the bight portions of the yarn skein Y. The holder 13 is stationary, being fixedly secured to the base member 11 at one end portion thereof and comprising a curved horn or book 15 extending vertically upwardly from the base member 11. The holder 14 is disposed at the opposite end portion of the base member 11, being pivotally mounted for longitudinal movement with respect thereto to vary the distance between the holders 13, 14. The holder 14 comprises a lever arm 16 having a lower end disposed beneath the base member 11. The lever arm 16 passes through an elongate slot 17 provided in the base member 11 and termi nates in a curved horn or hook 18 extending vertically upwardly from the base member 11. Referring to FIG- URE 2, it will be observed that the lower end of the lever arm 16 is connected to a shaft 20 for pivotal movement thereabout, the shaft 29 extending transversely with respect to the lever arm 16 and having its opposite ends rigidly secured in the supporting legs 12 at one end of the table 10. Thus, it will be understood that the pivotable holder 14 serves as a movable tensioning member which is movable within the slot 17 from a retracted position to an extended position for increasing the distance between the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the holders 13, 14 to induce lengthwise stretching of the yarn skein Y whose bight portions are received by the vertical curved horns 15, 18 in applying tension to the yarn skein Y. Each of the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the holders 13, 14 presents an outwardly facing concave curvature for facili tating reception of the bight portions of the yarn skein Y thereabout and for retaining the yarn skein Y thereon as it is stretched to apply tension thereto.

Means are provided to pivotally move the holder 14 between retracted and extended positions to vary the distance between the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the holders 13, 14, such means being operable by fluid pressure, as illustrated in the drawings, and comprising a piston and cylinder assembly disposed on the lower surface of the base member 11. As shown in FIGURE 1, the piston and cylinder assembly 25 includes a pressure cylinder 26 fixedly secured to the lower surface of the base member 11 and a piston 27 slidably mounted for recipro cable movement in the cylinder 26 in response to the admission of fluid pressure into the cylinder 26 at either end thereof. The piston 27 is provided with an elongated piston rod 28 which extends outwardly of one end of the cylinder 26 and terminates in a yoke or clevis 29 pivotally connected to the lever arm 16 of the holder 14 below the base member 11.

The cylinder 26 is connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure, such as compressed air, by piping to alternately admit fluid pressure into the cyinder 26 at the opposite ends thereof. In the latter respect, it will be observed that a conduit 30 is connected to one end wall of the cylinder 26 and communicates with the interior of the cylinder 26 at one side of the piston 27 through an inter connecting port. Conduit 31 is connected to the opposite end wall of the cylinder 26 and communicates with the interior thereof on the other side of the piston 27 through an interconnetcing port. A valve 32 is interposed be tween the conduits 30, 31 and a fluid supply conduit 33 leading from the source of fluid pressure, the valve 32 comprising a movable valve member having a pair of valve ports and being adapted to be operated by manual nieans, such as by depressing a foot pedal 34 (see FIG- URE 2) to alternately interconnect the fluid supply conduit 33 with the conduits 30 and 31.

Thus, fluid pressure is admitted into the cylinder 26 at one end thereof when the valve 32 is in the position assumed in FIGURE 1. so as to direct fluid pressure through the fluid supply conduit 33, the conduit 30, and into the cylinder 26 on the left hand side of the piston 27 to force the piston 27 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 1 which disposes the holder 14 in the full-line position or retracted position of FIGURE 1 due to the connection between the piston rod 28 and the lever arm 16 of the holder 14. With the holder 14 in retracted position, a minimum distance exists between the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the holders 13, 14 for receiving the bight portions of the yarn skein Y in a relaxed state. Upon depressing the foot pedal 34, the valve member of the valve 32 is moved to a position in which the end of the conduit 30 remote from the cylinder 26 is disconnected from the fluid supply conduit 33 and exposed to the atmosphere for bleeding or exhausting fluid pressure on the left-hand side of the piston 27 from the cylinder 26 to the atmosphere through the conduit 30, while the end of the conduit 31 remote from the cylinder 26 is interconnected with the fluid supply conduit 33 through the appropriate valve port in the valve member of valve 32 to admit fluid pressure from the fluid supply conduit 33 and the conduit 31 into the cylinder 26 at the opposite end thereof on the right-hand side of the piston 27. The admission of fluid pressure into the cylinder 26 on the right-hand side of the piston 27 forces the piston 27 to the left to pivot the lever arm 16 about the shaft 20 for disposing the holder 14 in the dotted-line position or extended position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to increase the distance between the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the holders 13, 14 for inducing lengthwise stretching of the yarn skein Y whose bight portions are received by the vertical curved horns 15, 18 to apply tension to the yarn skein Y.

Means are provided on the base member 11 for supporting the split sleeve S which is initially loosely disposed about a medial portion of the tensioned yarn skein Y, such means comprising a slidable sleeve supporting member 35. The slidable sleeve supporting member 35 includes an elongate horizontally disposed slide block 36 and an elongated support plate 37 which is provided with a substantially J-shaped transverse cross-section. The J- shaped support plate 37 has a level body portion 40 aflixed to the top of the slide block 36 and an arcuately curved lip 42 extending vertically upwardly from the level body portion 40 and the slide block 36 at the forwardly disposed edge thereof to present a rearwardly directed concavely curved surface complementary to a portion of the split sleeve S and opposed thereto.

The sleeve supporting member 35 comprising the slide block 36 and the J-shaped support plate 37 carried thereby is mounted for transverse slidable movement on the base member 11 in the space between the holders 13, 14 for applying tension to the yarn skein Y. In this connection, the slide block 36 includes a pair of L-shaped guide members 43, 43 at the opposite ends thereof which provide elongated ribs extending outwardly from the opposite ends of the slide block 36 for slidable reception within corresponding rails or tracks 44, 44 fixedly secured on the base member 11 and extending transversely thereon between the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the holders 13, 14.

It will be observed in FIGURE 1 that the rails 44, 44 include inwardly facing elongate recesses formed in their proximally related sides and thereby cooperate with the base member 11 on which the rails 44, 44 are mounted to define elongate grooves for slidably receiving the ribs provided by the L-shaped guide members 43, 43 aflixed to the opposite ends of the slide block 36, whereby the slide block 36 is mounted for slidable movement transverse to the base member 11 along the rails 44, 44.

Stop means are provided to limit the transverse movement of the sleeve supporting member 35 across the base member 11, the stop means taking the form of a relatively short stop bar 45 and an elongated stop bar 46 positioned between the rails 44, 44 in perpendicular relationship thereto and respectively disposed at the forward and rear end portions thereof. The stop bars 45, 46 are fixedly mounted on the base member 11 and are adapted to abut the slide block 36 to respectively limit further forward and rearward transverse movement of the sleeve supporting member 35 on the base member 11.

The apparatus further includes constrictor means mounted on the table for applying a progressively increasing constrictive force about the split sleeve S in accomplishing the banding of theyarn skein Y by the split sleeve S with its end portions secured together in over lapping relationship. To this end, a pair of spaced apart constrictor straps 50, 50 are arranged to overhang and overlie the split sleeve S and the sleeve supporting member 35, each of the constrictor straps 50, 50 having one end thereof respectively secured to the elongated stop bar 46 (FIGURES 5-7, inclusive) and extending transversely with respect to the base member 11 about the split sleeve S and the yarn skein Y cradled thereby in overlying relationship to the arcuately curved lip 42 of the Lshaped support plate 37 carried by the slide block 36. The straps 50, 50 pass through respective spaced apart elongated apertures 51, 51 extending transversely in the base member 11 in substantially parallel relationship with the rails 44, 44 (FIGURE 3), and the opposite ends of the straps 50, 50 are respectively attached to a foot treadle 52 which is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axle 53 having its opposite ends fixedly secured in the rearwardly disposed legs 12 supporting the table 10. A ribbed step plate 54 made of frictional material, such as rubber, may be provided on the foot treadle 52 to prevent slipping of an operators foot therefrom while the foot treadle 52 is being depressed.

The strips 50, 50 are normally held in a distended position with respect to the split sleeve S loosely cradling the yarn skein Y and the sleeve supporting member 35 (FIG- URE 5) by coiled tension springs 60, 60suspended from bracket members 61, 61 fixedly mounted on the base member 11 at the rear thereof. Each of the bracket members 61 includes a mountingflange 62 overyling the base member 11 and fixedly secured thereto by suitable fastener means, such as a threaded bolt or the like, and an upright standard 63. The upright standard 63 is integral with the mounting flange 62 and extends vertically there-from above the split sleeve S and the yarn skein Y to terminate in a lateral flange 64 extending forwardly with respect to the base member 11.

Each of the coiled tension springs 60, 60 has one end thereof attached to the lateral flange 64 of the bracket member 61 corresponding thereto and its opposite end attached to the corresponding strap 50 at a position intermediate the ends of the strap 50 and disposed above the split sleeve S and the yarn skein Y. The coiled tension springs 60, 6t normally maintain the straps 50, 50 in a distended position with the foot treadle 52 attached to the straps 5t), 50 being held in a raise-d position, as shown in FIGURE 2. In their distended position, the straps 5t), 50, although they may be in contact with the split sleeve S and the arcuately curved lip42 of the J-shaped support plate 37, as shown in FIGURE 5, apply little, if any, constrictive force to the split sleeve S and the sleeve supporting member 35.

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus in handing the yarn skein Y by constricting the split sleeve S about its medial portion in tightly embracing relationship, the vertical curved horn 18 of the movable yarn skein holder 14 will be initially disposed in the full-line or rectracted position illustrated in FIGURE 1 for receiving the bight portions of the yarn skein Y in relaxed condition about the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the holders 13, 14. Prior to placing the yarn skein Y about both of the horns 15, 18 of the yarn skein holders 13, 14, the yarn skein Y is given one-half turn of twist to 6. assume a figure-of-eight shape which aids in forming a compact, substantially cylindrically medial portion on the yarn skein Y upon constricting the split sleeve S thereabout. This results in a smaller yarn package and substantially eliminates any access for foreign matter, such as steam, to the medial portion of the yarn skein Y shielded by the split sleeve S constricted thereabout.

The operator depresses the foot pedal 34 which actuates the piston and cylinder assembly 25 to move the yarn skein holder 14 to the dotted-line position or extended position illustrated in FIGURE 1 by directing fluid pressure through the conduit 31 into the cylinder 26 at the right-hand side of the piston 27 to force the piston 27 to the left, thereby moving the piston rod 28 outwardly of the cylinder 26 and pivoting the lever arm 16 outwardly with respect to the base member 11 about the shaft 20. Lengthwise stretching is induced in the yarn skein Y because of the increase in the distance between the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the yarn skein holders 13, 14'

and the yarn skein Y is tensioned. The split sleeve S may be loosely disposed about the medial portion of the yarn skein Y in cradling relationship before or after the tensioning of the yarn skein Y.

With the yarn skein Y in a twisted, tensioned condition, the operator depresses the foot treadle 52 to draw the straps 5t), 50 about the split sleeve S and the sleeve supporting member 35 with a progressively increasing constrictive force in opposition to the coiled tension springs 60, 60 which are expanded as the depression of the foot treadle 52 proceeds. Referring to FIGURE 5, it will be observed that the straps 50, 50 extend about the split sleeve S and outwardly of the arcuately curved lip 42 of i the Lshaped support plate 37. Continued depression of the foot treadle 52 causes a transverse rearwardly directed force to be applied to the sleeve supporting member 35 by the engagement between the rearwardly drawn portions of the straps 50, 50 and the curved lip 42 of the support plate 37. Accordingly, the slide block 36 of the sleeve supporting member 35 moves toward the rear of the base member 11, being guided in the rails 44, 44 by its L- shaped guide members 43, 43. The arcuately curved lip 42 of the J-shaped support plate 37 carried by the slide block 36 is thereby brought into engagement with a portion of the split sleeve S opposed thereto to cause the innermost locking clip of a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending locking clips C provided on the sleeve S adjacent one end thereof to slip over the edge of the arcuately curved lip 42 of the support plate 37, as shown in FIGURE 6, for properly alining the split sleeve S and the arcuately curved lip 42 of the support plate 37 with respect to the medial portion of the yarn skein Y.

Thereafter, the arcuately curved lip 42 forces the opposed sleeve portion into intimate contact with the tensioned yarn skein Y. Eventually, the slide block 36 abuts the elongated stop bar 46 to restrain the sleeve supporting member 35 against further rearward transverse movement on the base member 11 with the portion of the split sleeve S in engagement with the arcuately curved lip 42 of the support plate 37 being supported in intimate contact with the yarn skein Y as the constriction of the split sleeve S about the medial portion of the yarn skein Y proceeds upon the continued depression of the foot treadle 52.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the depression of the foot treadle 52 into substantially parallel relationship with respect to the base member 11 causes the ends of the straps 56, 50 attached to the foot treadle 52 to be drawn downwardly suificiently to complete the constriction of the split sleeve S about the medial portion of the tensioned yarn skein Y to tightly embrace the yarn skein Y by the split sleeve S. In completing the constriction of the split sleeve S about the yarn skein Y, the end portions of the split sleeve S are brought together in overlapping relationship with the inturned end edge E at one sleeve end defined. by the split therein being forced beneath one of the plurality of locking clips C pnovided on the opposite end portion of the split sleeve S in interlocking engagement therewith to secure the overlapped end portions of the sleeve S together. It will be understood that the plurality of locking clips C provided on the sleeve S allow for some latitude in the constriction of the sleeve S which is dependent upon the bulk of the yarn skein Y that the sleeve S is intended to tightly embracethe inturned end edge E being interlocked with the particular clip C indicated when further constriction of the sleeve S cannot be accomplished. Of course, the innermost clip C on sleeve S which seats the end edge of the arcuately curved lip 42 of the support plate 37 during the operation of the apparatus will not be ordinarily available for interlocking engagement with the inturned end edge E of the sleeve S.

When the split sleeve S has been fully constrictedv about the tensioned yarn skein Y to embrace the yarn skein Y as tightly as possible by applying a progressively increasing constrictive force to the split sleeve S through the straps t), 50 by depressing the foot treadle 52, and the overlapped end portions of the split sleeve S have been secured together in the manner described, the operator removes his foot from the treadle 52. Removal of the downward pressure exerted on the foot treadle 52 allows the expanded tension springs 60, 50 to contract, and the contraction of the tension springs 6t 6% draws the ends of the straps 50, 50 attached to the treadle 52 upwardly with the treadle 52 pivoting upwardly about the axle 53 to return to its normal raised position (see FIGURE 2). The straps 5t), 50 are thereby returned to their distended position shown in FIGURE 5.

The foot pedal 34 is then depressed to actuate the piston and cylinder assembly by exhausting fluid pressure from the cylinder 26 on the right-hand side of the piston 27, as viewed in FIGURE 1, through the conduit 31 which is exposed to atmosphere and by admitting fluid pressure into the cylinder 26 at the left-hand side of the piston 27 through the conduit 30 which moves the piston 27 to the right for pivoting the lever arm 16 of the yarn skein holder 14 inwardly with respect to the base member 11 to return the yarn skein holder 14 to the full-line position or retracted position illustrated in FIGURE 1. The completed yarn package comprising the yarn skein Y banded by the sleeve S may then be removed from the vertical curved horns 15, 18 of the yarn skein holders 13, 14 to prepare the apparatus for receiving another yarn skein to be banded.

In the drawings and. specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A banding apparatus for constricting a split sleeve loosely disposed about a medial portion of a compressible article into tightly embracing relationship about the medial portion of the compressible article, wherein the split sleeve encircles the compressible article with its end portions secured together in overlapping relationship, said banding apparatus comprising (a) a base member provided with elongate tracks,

(b) a sleeve supporting member mounted on said base member and having its opposite ends slidably received by said tracks for movement therealong,

(c) said sleeve supporting member having a curved surface complementary to a portion of the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in opposed relation thereto,

(d) a plurality of constrictor straps in spaced parallel relation extending transversely across said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve in overlying relation therewith,

(e) means fixedly securing corresponding ends of said straps to said base member adjacent one end of said tracks for disposing said corresponding strap ends on the opposite side of the sleeve from said sleeve supporting member,

(f) a constriction actuator element,

(g) means mounting said constriction actuator element 5 below said base member for pivotal movement about one end thereof between raised and. lowered positions,

(h) said base member being provided with a plurality of elongated apertures corresponding in number to said plurality of straps and being arranged between said tracks in parallel relation thereto,

(i) said straps extending through the apertures in said base member and having their other ends attached to said constriction actuator element, and

(j) said sleeve supporting member sliding along said 15 tracks to bring said curvexl surface into supporting engagement with the portion of the sleeve opposed thereto and said curved surface subsequently urging the opposed sleeve portion into intimate contact with the compressible article while the remainder of the sleeve is constricted about the compressible article to overlap the end portions of the sleeve in secured relation for tightly embracing the compressible article by the sleeve in response to pivotal movement of said constriction actuator element to its lowered position drawing the other ends of said straps attached thereto downwardly to constrict said, straps about said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve with a progressively increasing constrictive force.

2. An apparatus for banding a yarn skein with a split 30 sleeve in tightly embracing relationship therewith and having its end portions secured together in overlapping relationship, said apparatus comprising (a) a pair of spaced tensioning members respectively receivable within the bight portions of the yarn skein for carrying the yarn skein in a relaxed condition with a medial portion of the yarn skein being adapted to be loosely cradled by the split sleeve,

(b) means for moving one of said tensioning members in a direction increasing the distance between said tensioning members to induce stretching of the yarn skein for applying tension thereto,

(c) a sleeve supporting member mounted for movement transversely to the lengthwise extent of the yarn skein and in the space intermediate said tensioning members,

(d) said sleeve supporting member being movable into supporting engagement with a portion of the sleeve for subsequently urging the sleeve portion engaged thereby into intimate contact with the yarn skein, and

(e) means engageable with the sleeve on the side thereof opposite from said sleeve supporting member for causing the end portions of the sleeve to be placed in overlapping secured relationship.

3. An apparatus for handing a yarn skein with a split sleeve in tightly embracing relationship therewith and having its end portions secured together in overlapping relationship, said apparatus comprising (a) a base member,

(b) a pair of tensioning members mounted on said base member in spaced relationship and respectively receivable within each of the bight portions of the yarn skein for carrying the yarn skein in a relaxed condition with a medial portion of the yarn skein being adapted to be loosely cradled by the split sleeve,

(c) means mounted on said base member and connected to one of said tensioning members for moving said one tensioning member in a direction increasing the distance between said tensioning members to induce stretching of the yarn skein for applying tension thereto,

(d) a sleeve supporting member slidably mounted on said base member intermediate said tensioning members and engageable with a portion of the split sleeve disposed about the yarn skein for supporting the 75 sleeve portion engaged thereby and urging the sleeve portion into intin ate contact with theyarn skein, and

(e) means engageable with the sleeveon theside thereof; opposite frorn said;.sleeye supporting member for causing the end portions of the sleeve to, be placed in overlapping secured relationship.

4. An apparatusafor banding. a yarn skein .withfla split sleeve in tightly embracing relationship J therewithand having its end portions secured together in overlapping relationship, said apparatus,comprising, p

(a) spaced skein holder meari s receivable within each of the bight portions of the yarn skein for carrying the yarn skein in a relaxe'dlcondition with a medial portion of the yarn skein being adapted to be loosely cradled by the split sleeve,

(b) means for increasing the distance between said spaced skein holder means to induce stretching of the yarn skein for applying tension thereto,

() a sleeve supporting member mounted for move: ment transversely to the" lengthwise extent of the yarn skein and in the space between said skein holder means, p r

(d) constrictor means overlying saidsleeve supporting member and the sleeve for constricting the sleeve about the yarn skein,

(e) means operably connected to said constrictor means to draw said constrictor means about said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve with a progressively increasing constrictive force, and

(f) said sleeve supporting member being moved into supporting engagement with a portion of the sleeve and subsequently urging the sleeve portion engaged thereby into intimate contact with the yarn skein while the remainder of the sleeve is constricted about the yarn skein to overlap the end portions of the sleeve in secured relation for tightly embracing the yarn skein by the sleeve in response to actuation of said means operably connected to said constrictor means progressively increasing theconstrictive force applied against said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve by said constrictor means.

5. An apparatus for handing a yarn skein with a split sleeve in tightly embracing relationship therewith and having its end portions secured together in overlapping relationship, said apparatus comprising (a) spaced skein holder means receivable within each of the bight portions of the yarn skein for carrying the yarn skein in a relaxed condition with a medial portion of the yarn skein beingadapted to be loosely cradlediby the split sleeve,

(b) means for increasing the distance between said spaced skein holder means to induce stretchingof the yarn skein for applying tension thereto,

(c) a sleeve supportingmember mounted for movement transversely to the lengthwise extent of the yarn skein and in the space between said skein holder means,

(d) said sleeve supporting member having a curved surface complementary to a portion of the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in opposed relation thereto,

(e) a plurality of constrictor straps in spaced parallel relation extending transversely across said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve in overlying relation therewith,

(f) a corresponding end of each of said straps being fixedly secured against movement at a respective location positioned on the opposite side of the sleeve from said sleeve supporting member and below said curved surface,

(g) a constriction actuator element,

(h) means mounting said constriction actuator element below said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve for pivotal movement about one end thereof between raised and lowered positions,

(i) the other ends of said straps being attached to said the opposed sleeve portion into intimate contact with the yarn skein while the remainder of the sleeve is constricted to overlap the end portions of the sleeve in-secured relation for tightly embracing the yarn skein by the sleeve in response to pivotal movement of said constriction actuator element to its lowered position drawing the other ends of said straps attache-d thereto downwardly to constrict said straps about said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve with a progressively increasing constrictive force.

6. A banding apparatus for constricting a split sleeve loosely disposed about a medial portion of a yarn skein into tightly embracing relationship about the medial portion of the yarn skein, wherein the split sleeve encircles the yarn skein with its end portions secured together in overlapping relationship, said banding apparatus comprising (a) a base member, 1

(b) a pair of tensioning members mounted on said base member in spaced relationship and respectively receivable within each of the bight portions of the yarn skein for carrying the yarn skein in a relaxed condition with the medial portion of the yarn skein being adapted to be loosely cradled by the split sleeve,

(0) means mounted on said base member and connected to one of said tensioning members for moving said one tensioning member in a direction increasing the distance between said tensioning members to induce stretching of the yarn skein for applying tension thereto,

(d) said base member being provided with elongate tracks extending intermediate said pair of tensioning members in the space therebetween,

(e) a sleeve supporting member mounted on said base member and having its opposite ends slidably received by said tracks for movement therealong,

(f) said sleeve supporting member having a curved surface complementary to a portion of the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in opposed relation thereto,

(g) a plurality of constrictor straps in spaced parallel relation extending transversely across said sleeve supporting member and the sleeve in overlying relation therewith,

(h) means fixedly securing corresponding ends of said straps to said base member adjacent one end of said tracks for disposing said corresponding strap ends on the opposite side of the sleeve from said sleeve supporting member,

(i) a constriction actuator element,

(j) means mounting said constriction actuator element below said base member for pivotal movement about one end thereof between raised and lowered positions,

(k) said base member being provided with a plurality of elongated apertures corresponding in number to said plurality of straps and being arranged between said tracks in parallel relation thereto,

(1) said straps extending through the apertures in said base member and having their other ends attached to said constriction actuator element, and

(in) said sleeve supporting member sliding along said tracks to bring said curved surface into supporting engagement with the portion of the sleeve opposed thereto and said curved surface subsequently urging the opposed sleeve portion into intimate contact with the yarn skein while the remainder of the sleeve is constricted about the yarn skein to overlap the end portions of the sleeve in secured relation for tightly embracing the yarn skein by the sleeve in response 11 to pivotal movement of said constriction actuator 995,939 element to its lowered position drawing the other 2,271,632 ends of said straps attached thereto downwardly to 2,344,340 constrict said straps about said sleeve supporting 2,844,923

References fited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1899 Anderson 53198 10 4/1905 Irving 100212 Hargenrater 5 3-3 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Examiner.

L. S. BOUCHARD, Assistant Examiner. 

2. AN APPARATUS FOR BANDING A YARN SKEIN WITH A SPLIT SLEEVE IN TIGHTLY EMBRACING RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH AND HAVING ITS END PORTIONS SECURED TOGETHER IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) A PAIR OF SPACED TENSIONING MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY RECEIVABLE WITHIN THE BIGHT PORTIONS OF THE YARN SKEIN FOR CARRYING THE YARN SKEIN IN A RELAXED CONDITIONED WITH A MEDIAL PORTION OF THE YARN SKEIN BEING ADAPTED TO BE LOOSELY CRADLED BY THE SPLIT SLEEVE, (B) MEANS FOR MOVING ONE OF SAID TENSIONING MEMBERS IN A DIRECTION INCREASING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID TENSIONING MEMBERS TO INDUCE STRETCHING OF THE YARN SKEIN FOR APPLYING TENSION THERETO, (C) A SLEEVE SUPPORTING MEMBER MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY TO THE LENGTHWISE EXTENT OF THE YARN SKEIN AND IN THE SPACE INTERMEDIATE SAID TENSIONING MEMBERS, (D) SAID SLEEVE SUPPORTING MEMBER BEING MOVABLE INTO SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT WITH A PORTION OF THE SLEEVE FOR SUBSEQUENTLY URGING THE SLEEVE PORTION ENGAGED THEREBY INTO INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE YARN SKEIN, AND (E) MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SLEEVE ON THE SIDE THEREOF OPPOSITE FROM SAID SLEEVE SUPPORTING MEMBER FOR CAUSING THE END PORTIONS OF THE SLEEVE TO BE PLACED IN OVERLAPPING SECURED RELATIONSHIP. 